File photo by Taylor Eagleston, Cronkite News

How to Prevent Shoplifting in Cannabis Retail

While all businesses face the risks of theft or diversion of product, retailers face the added risks associated with shoplifting. Additionally, cannabis retailers could be targeted for their valuable cannabis products and cash on-site if not properly secured. Despite this, there are many ways that cannabis business owners can prevent shoplifting in cannabis retail by utilizing effective security policies and …

How to Prevent Cannabis Theft Using Two-Factor Authentication

How to Prevent Cannabis Theft Using Two-Factor Authentication

When it comes to building security, letting the right people in is equally as important as keeping the wrong people out. Access control systems are often employed by cannabis businesses to easily separate those who have are authorized from those who are not and often employ two-factor authentication. In its simplest form, an access control system grants access to those who have …

Creating a Holiday Security Plan for Cannabis Businesses

Creating a Holiday Security Plan for Cannabis Businesses

The holiday season is just around the corner! While this might bump up your customers and profits, it can also increase your potential risks. Cannabis businesses will need to take extra care in making sure that any current security is reliable and properly maintained and that updates or repairs are made prior to holiday sales. Preparedness is key, so create …

Organized Crime in the Cannabis Industry

Organized Crime in the Cannabis Industry

Organized crime is a global problem and can be problematic for retailers and non-retailers across multiple industries. In retail, organized crime often occurs through planned thefts or robberies and can cause businesses to incur substantial losses and evidence indicates that retailers may lose an estimated $30 billion each year. Between 2015 and 2020, rates of organized retail crime increased by 60% …

Impact of the Secure Equipment Act on the Cannabis Industry

Impact of the Secure Equipment Act on the Cannabis Industry

A new law will soon require cannabis business owners take a fresh look at their video surveillance system to determine regulatory compliance. Passed in November, the Secure Equipment Act of 2021 takes aim overseas communications equipment manufacturers and their threat to national security. Under the new law, the importation, marketing, and sale of specified Chinese communications products would effectively be …

New Jersey Cannabis Update

An Update on Cannabis in New Jersey

The New Jersey Cannabis market has undergone a lot of turbulence and delays, especially for prospective business owners. The state has an existing medical cannabis market and will soon be accepting licenses for adult-use cannabis businesses. With the recent announcement of winning medical cannabis applicants after a lengthy delay and the newly legalized adult-use market and licensing process, the New …

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PRESS RELEASE — SAPPHIRE RISK ADVISORY GROUP’S CLIENTS WIN MULTIPLE LICENSES IN NEW JERSEY

Sapphire Risk Advisory Group is celebrating success in New Jersey after all but one of their 2019 clients were awarded medical cannabis dispensary licenses. Sapphire Risk’s scores in the Security Plan section of the application were some of the highest in New Jersey and helped set the tone for the rest of the application. Knowing that each applicant’s submission begins with their Security Plan, …

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Long Term Security Solutions for Temporary Employees

​As the holiday season approaches, many retailers are preparing for the increase in customers (and risk!) that comes with the season. In preparation for busy stores, many retailers are hiring temporary employees or seasonal workers to help accommodate the additional customers, keep shelves stocked, and expedite purchases. While increasing the number of temporary employees on-site is an excellent way to …

How to Secure Access Control Points for Cannabis Businesses

How to Secure Access Control Points in a Cannabis Business

The use of access control in cannabis business security is nothing new. Let’s take a door, lock, and key for example. In this scenario, the door is the access control point, the lock is the physical form of access control being used, and the key is the credential which allows access to the access control point.  But access control has …